By: Latifa Yusuf Masai
HARGEISA (Somalilandsun) – As heavy rains engulf the country following a devastatingly prolonged drought plans are afoot to relieve poverty among pastoralists in the western regions.
This was revealed by the Director General-DG at the ministry of Livestock Development Abdi Ahmed Nuur ‘Abdi Gurei’ during an interview with Dawan newspaper in which he also informed that a broad team from his ministry has completed and assessment tour of the Eastern regions of Somaliland.
According to the DG the government in close cooperation with pastoralists from parts of Somaliland where livestock was not affected by the prolonged drought is in advanced stages of plans to replenish herds among residents of Awdal region that lost their entire stocks as a result of hunger and thirst.
Without elaboration DG Abdi Gurei said “Thanks to the rains ongoing plans to restock herds for pastoralists in Awdal region which was the most affected by drought are almost complete”
Queried on what is the status of livestock in the Eastern regions that are coming out of drought the DG said that an assessment undertaken by a team from his ministry has just been completed with a generalized figure of livestock taken thence a head count shall follow soon
“Of the Eastern regions visited A team from the ministry of livestock development found Toghdeer region to be the most affected by the Drought though not to the levels seen in Awdal region o the West” Said DG Abdi Gurei
The just returned team that visited the eastern regions of Toghdeer, Sool, Sarar and Sanaag was led by state minister at the ministry and included the DG, Veterinarians and regional coordinators as well as senior administrators from the beneficiary regions.
Revealing that the situation is bound to revert to abundance of grass and water following the advent of long awaited rains pouring all over Somaliland the DG said that his team had the opportunity to treat sheep and goats in those regions from Petites Ruminantes, a lungs diseases among livestock.
Parts of the country are reporting heavy rains especially in the strenuously drought affected one Awdal where initial downpours resulted in the flooding of nine people.
Copyright: Somalilandsun, 2016. www.somalilandsun.com
